textile designer zoe wall

Zoe Wall is a textile designer who is based in Byron Bay on the northern coast of NSW. She has learnt her craft through her mother, and continues to cite Shyama as a mentor and inspiration. Zoe uses organic silks and Australian wools in her designs and works with them utilising ancient techniques. Twice a year she releases a range of scarves, shawls and wraps. The most recent is "A place on Earth, with you".

Which five words best describe you? Happy, creative, quirky, relaxed, gentle.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? It now seems all things led toward what I now do every day, which is to create scarves. I learnt the skill from my mother.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? That there are always so many new lessons to learn.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I feel very proud that women from around the world wear something I have designed and made with my own hands.
What’s been your best decision? To follow my heart.
Who inspires you? My mother.
What are you passionate about? Books, truffles, cheese, the beach, soft snow, shopping in boutiques so beautiful they give me sweaty palms, the occasional gallery, always the ballet, faraway places and, of course, long lengths of beautiful fabric commonly known as scarves.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Coco Chanel and the Dalai Lama
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Too many to even begin.
What are you reading? Blink by Malcolm Gladwell


images courtesy of zoe wall

DESIGNER SARAH FISHER

There’s an increasingly diverse range of homewares coming out of Byron Bay right now. One of the recent success stories has been from Sarah and Kane Fisher and their lighting brand Fromage La Rue. They design fonts and hand make lights taking inspiration from vintage marquee letter lights and symbols. The pair set up the business in 2009 after working in various areas of the design industry. Sarah headed up digital operations for an advertising agency while Kane has worked in architectural illustration, 3D design and animation. Sarah shares their story.

Which five words best describe you? Impulsive, driven, creative, communicator, thrill-seeker.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I got my first job in marketing as an account executive but the studio manager left suddenly and I was promoted within a week. Big scary shoes to fill and I had no idea what I was doing. I learned to think fast and kind of bluff my way. 

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Don't over-commit yourself - still learning this one. I tend to want to do all things immediately, especially if I think I have a great idea. I have learned the hard way that it's not the best way to approach something. 

What’s your proudest career achievement? Creating Fromage la Rue with my husband. Second to that would be my final corporate role in digital before I went on maternity leave, as head of digital operations. I was really proud of that role because I had no formal training in that area, but I loved every second of it. I worked with a team of writers, developers and creatives and I was really in my element. 

What’s been your best decision? To stop working in digital and focus on our own business. 

Who inspires you? Other female entrepreneurs, especially small businesses going out on a limb. I would also have to say Steve Jobs, even though he wasn't known for his kind demeanor, he was such a visionary and I loved his passion for detail, usability and beauty in design.

What are you passionate about? My family, good design, good books, good wine! 

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would have loved to meet one of my favourite authors, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? My husband and I want to visit the Vegas Boneyard, or Neon Museum as it is sometimes called, in Las Vegas. Short term I'd like to get the wholesale side of our business up and running, and not so short term, I want to spend three months in the Italy over summer in an old farmhouse before my last child starts school. Doing nothing but cooking, eating and swimming. 

What are you reading? I'm just about to finish The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. Supposed to be Victorian literary realism but to me it was just a fantastic tale set in nineteenth century New Zealand - South Island - during the Gold Rush years. 

images courtesy of fromage la rue; styling vanessa colyer tay

textile designer bec duff

Bec and Cameron Duff are partners in work and life. They have worked in various fields, from film-making to printing, but the project they are most passionate about is Kambamboo, a textile design business they have recently founded. The company is based in the region of the couple's home - Byron Bay on the NSW North Coast. They use local craftspeople as much as possible and, consequently, are able to keep a close eye on production standards. While they don't claim to produce a completely organic range, they always consider the environment in their choices.

Which five words best describe you? Curious, honest, emotional, joyful, driven.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Lots of research, endless family support and a giant leap of faith helped me to launch into the world of Kambamboo. It also helps having an amazingly creative business partner who happens to be your husband. Cameron and I have studied and worked in several creative and non-creative industries including printing, filmmaking, events and online business. We draw from our mix of experiences constantly.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Trust your intuition and don’t sweat the small stuff.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Jumping in deep and making the dream of Kambamboo a reality.

What’s been your best decision? Keeping things local! We’re lucky to live and work in a very creative community. I love working with such a passionate bunch of people and cherish the friendships we have.

Who inspires you? Anyone who isn’t scared to make mistakes. Also my parents, they are brave and optimistic.

What are you passionate about? Ink and fabric, paintings by Mark Rothko, the ocean, honesty, baking the world's best scones, talking for hours on the phone with people I love, English breakfast tea and, most of all, Cameron, the love of my life.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? It has to be Mark Rothko - his paintings really do something to me. I’ve been lucky enough to see some of his works overseas and it feels like time stops when I’m in the room with his work.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? I would love to create a series of giant artworks. I would love to be fluent in French. I would love to publish a book of family recipes.

What are you reading? Down to Earth by Rhonda Hetzel. I’m finding it really inspiring, the photography is beautiful and there are endless ideas for simple living as well as some great classic recipes.

images courtesy of kambamboo